Of course, for too long successive governments have enacted and tolerated laws that are evil (such as the legalizing of abortion). What’s new in our day is that laws are being proposed and enacted that attempt to force Christians to give up core Christian doctrines (e.g. Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation) and ethics (e.g. biblical definition of marriage).

When the Government does this, it is crossing the line from being God’s servant to being God itself. When that happens, what should we do? Thankfully we have a biblical example of similar governmental usurpation of God’s place in Acts 4, when the Apostles were commanded to stop preaching Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.

The apostle’s response was not a simple “No way!” Rather, it was a respectful and biblically reasoned “No!”

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

Their “No” was framed as a question, appealed to the leaders’ knowledge of God, and explained the preaching of Jesus as something that they couldn’t help doing. But it was still a “No!”

When forbidden to preach Christ-alone-ism and commanded to preach many-ways-to-God-ism (or pluralism) we respectfully say, “No! And here are our reasons.”

1. Pluralism disobeys GodWhat’s the first and greatest commandment? “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:4-5).

It was first given to Israel as they prepared to enter a multi-faith environment, Jesus reiterated it in the midst of a similar multi-religious culture, and it remains the first and greatest commandment to this day. Everybody must have the God of the Bible as their only God and everybody should love that one God with everything they have.

Pluralism disobeys God because it says you can have any, many, or no gods and you certainly don’t need to love Him with everything you’ve got.

2. Pluralism diminishes ScripturePluralism says that there are many paths to the top of the mountain. There’s a Jewish path, a Hindu path, a Buddhist path, etc., and we all meet up at the top in God. This diminishes, undermines, and rejects the Bible’s message that there is one path up the mountain and it’s Jesus Christ (1 John 5:12; John 14:6; 3:36).

Political leaders can pass as many laws as they like but they can’t change the truth of Scripture by legislation or by majority vote. They may decide that gravity doesn’t exist, vote against it, pass laws against it, and prosecute its supporters. But if any one of them chooses to jump out the window they’ll discover that no matter how public, vehement, and repeated their assertions, gravity is still very true.

3. Pluralism defies logicThe future heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, is meant to take an oath to be the defender of the protestant faith. However, he’s decided that he wants to be simply “the defender of faith.” What kind of faith? Any kind of faith? There are people who still believe it’s OK to sacrifice children. Are we going to defend their faith?

Even secular journalists see the folly of this. Janet Daley of the Daily Telegraph wrote: “You cannot defend all faiths – at least not at the same time – because each has beliefs that render those of the others false.”

It’s not faith that saves but what or who faith is in. Many Muslims’ faith is stronger than many Christians’ faith. But no matter how sincere, zealous, vigorous, and confident faith is, if it’s in a falsehood it will not save. Thankfully, the weakest faith in Christ will certainly save.

4. Pluralism damages evangelismWhat motivated the New Testament apostles and evangelical missionaries through the centuries? It was the belief that Christ is the only way to be saved.

We’re not funding missionaries and doing evangelism because we think it’s a good idea, it’s a nice hobby, or it makes us feel good. It’s because, to put it bluntly, without Christ, you’re damned. And if we don’t believe that, then let’s stop all evangelism and outreach, and let’s call all the missionaries back and stop wasting our money.

But, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There is no other name in India, in Pakistan, in Iraq, or in Antartica. What about Afghanistan? No other name. What about the USA? No other name. No second name, no third name, no fourth name. No other name.

5. Pluralism despises our neighborWe’re being told today that preaching the Gospel is hatred. No, to be silent is hatred. To say nothing about Jesus to the perishing is hatred. To see someone in error and hold back the truth is hatred.

The second great commandment is “to love our neighbor as ourselves.” That’s why to every pious Hindu, orthodox Jew, secular atheist, sincere agnostic, radical Muslim, and nominal Christian, we tell you with a heart overflowing with love, Jesus is the only Name under heaven by which you can be saved.

6. Pluralism denies ChristThe Apostle Peter had denied Christ in front of a little servant girl a few weeks before because he was so afraid of the religious and political leaders. Now he faces these same leaders and is again charged with knowing and preaching Christ.

What will he do? Is he going to deny Jesus again? Will he just use the general name “God,” and avoid offending his accusers?

No. From his “I don’t know the man” of a few weeks previously, he now preaches the Name above every name. What a moment! The denier of Christ becomes a spirit-filled preacher of Christ to the crucifiers of Christ (vv. 8-12).

And notice it’s not enough to say, “He is a Savior,” or even “He is my Savior.” No, “He is the only Savior.” The Savior that excludes all others. “Neither is there salvation in any other.” There are no options, no alternatives, no substitutes, no fall backs, no back ups.

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

I enjoyed your post about respecting the president and followed the link here. I also enjoyed this post but, I have not seen anywhere in scripture where we are told to be active in government other than to respect our rulers and pay our taxes. I have also not found a place where it tells us that we are supposed to tell non believers how to live their lives, especially not by trying to get laws passed that hold them to a biblical standard that they would not accept. So, that being said wouldn’t it be more appropriate for us to do what we are commanded to do and love them as ourselves and then trust God to do what He has planned. There are several places in the Bible where God uses unbelieving people for His purposes and controls events as He is doing even today, so shouldn’t we obey God and love and pray for them regardless of the laws that are passed or their sinful behavior. I don’t think God needs our help to defend Himself or His laws and commands, but I do think He needs us to obey and show the world the love that He showed as Jesus living on earth. After all He did say that he came to heal the sick and that those who were healthy didn’t need a doctor, correct. In my opinion we cause God grief and undermine His plan when we get involved in politics and government and oppose the world instead of loving like we are commanded.

http://headhearthand.org/blog/ David Murray

We have examples of believers being involved in government (e.g. Daniel, Nehemiah).

It’s a fairly obvious implication from being salt and light, cultural mandate, etc.

God’s moral law is bonding on all moral creatures, as their own consciences testify (Romans 2).

If we believe God’s laws are the best for human society we are obliged to seek their establishment. It’s part of loving our neighbor.

M J Spaulding

“Of course, for too long successive governments have enacted and tolerated laws that are evil (such as the legalizing of abortion). What’s new in our day is that laws are being proposed and enacted that attempt to force Christians to give up core Christian doctrines (e.g. Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation) and ethics (e.g. biblical definition of marriage).”

The law may make abortion illegal, but no one is forced to get an abortion.
I have seen nothing indicating that I must give up my belief in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. It is very hard to control what people thing and believe.
And I’ve seen no attempt to make me marry another woman.
We are not a theocracy and are a secular government so what is is you are trying to say.
Do I wish there were much fewer abortions-yes. Do I wish everyone was a Christian-yes. Do I wish that there were no homosexuals-yes.

David Murray

If you’ve followed the Healthcare debate you’ll have read about Christian business people being forced to fund abortions. Hate crime laws in Europe, Canada, Australia, and coming here too, are fining, sacking, and even imprisoning people for expressing opposition to homosexuality or saying other religions are wrong. Google “hate crime” and see what’s coming to a state near you. You’re in for a big shock.

I agree with M J and Richard. I have been unaware of these attacks on the Church from the government. I certainly hope we won’t see a time like that, but seriously doubt we will because of two reasons. First, the evangelical church has immense power and influence in the U.S. and on its policies. Second, congress is constitutionally forbidden from restricting religious practices (with exceptions for extremes such as human sacrifice).

It would be nice if everyone were to abide by the Mosaic law, but no one does, not even Christians. That’s why we need Christ, because we are sinners. If we are going to legislate the law of the Bible does that include all the dietary constraints and keeping the Sabbath? You cannot force Christianity on people. Constantine tried to in the 4th century and it actually weakened the Church by creating a cultural Christianity.

It is true that as believers we face trials, but often those trials are personal temptations. We need to focus on the sin in our own lives and love our brothers in the world.

http://headhearthand.org/blog/ David Murray

We’re not forcing the law on anyone. We are arguing and persauding as an act of love to our neighbor.

See Hobby Lobby, Westminster Seminary, and Wheaton College as examples of government pressure on Christians to compromise their moral beliefs.

The in thing to do for globalists like yourself is to call all to the public square, talk about faith-faith builds social capital and that gives a dense social fabric so its easier to parade human capital in soviets. All these will live under the earthcharter law and then there will absolutely be no choice other than bow down to Ceasar and dare not speak the name of Christ the Saviour.